NATO Foreign Ministers to Discuss Defense Cooperation with Indo-Pacific Partners
Brussels-(LM) Expanding defense-industrial cooperation is set to be a key focus when NATO foreign ministers gather with their counterparts from Japan, South Korea, Australia, and New Zealand on Thursday. This meeting aims to strengthen ties with Indo-Pacific partners amid increasing concerns about interconnected international security challenges.
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte emphasized the importance of viewing NATO’s security landscape in a broader context. “We cannot look at the NATO territory in isolation,” he stated during a press briefing ahead of the two-day summit. He highlighted that threats extend beyond Russia, pointing to military build-ups in China, ongoing tensions in Iran, and North Korea’s activities.
Rutte argued that the challenges posed by these nations not only affect Ukraine but also represent risks to NATO members globally. He expressed a desire to make partnerships with the Indo-Pacific nations “more and more practical,” focusing on deepening defense-industrial cooperation and enhancing dialogue on mutual concerns.
“We are learning a lot now from this terrible war in Ukraine,” Rutte noted, stressing the need to capture and apply these lessons in collaboration with Indo-Pacific partners. He indicated that NATO’s engagement with the IP4 countries has evolved to include more substantive initiatives beyond mere meetings.
In addition to the IP4 discussions, Rutte will hold separate talks with Japan’s Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya, who is expected to participate in a trilateral meeting with his South Korean and U.S. counterparts on the sidelines of the summit. This gathering underscores NATO’s commitment to addressing shared security interests and enhancing global stability.
Leadership Magazine-Somalia
